The Pirate's Scourge by Chris A. Jackson

Author:Chris A. Jackson [Jackson, Chris A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Jaxbooks
Published: 2018-07-28T04:00:00+00:00

I forced myself to walk the deck most of the morning, checking the work of the carpenter, talking to Wix about a dozen different details of maintenance and a few cases of insubordination. The activity eased the aches and pains of my strained muscles. By midday I almost felt human again. My stomach and bowels had settled down, and the copious breakfast and as much water as I could drink eased my aching head to a dull background irritation. I'd told Bert to prepare lunch for Miko and me in my cabin, so when a surly Hemp summoned me from the quarterdeck, I had an appetite and a clear head.

I entered the great cabin to find Preel exercising. I'd forgotten to refasten her manacle, but I didn't say anything. Hemp had set the table for two, but I realized that if I intended to free Preel, I had to start treating her like a free woman, not a slave.

"Put out a third plate, Hemp. I'm tired of crumbs in my bunk. Preel will eat at the table with us."

"As you wish, sir." He cast a strange look at Preel and went to get another place setting. I assumed he was still upset that I'd ordered him to burn my best clothes, but as he passed I picked up a few bits of his muttering. "Bloody prancin' about the cabin all hours, not even chained up like a slave ought to be, wearin' the carpet to tatters..."

Preel sat on the edge of the bunk breathing deeply, a questioning look on her face. I didn't know if she was worried that we might accidently invoke her talent with an incautious question while we ate, or if she was simply surprised that I'd decided to sit at the same table with a slave. Hemp returned before I could explain. I went to the quarter gallery to wash my hands and face before lunch and came back in to find Miko there and Hemp filling our cups with steaming spiced wine. Only two of the three cups, of course. Preel's he filled with water.

"Have a seat, Miko. Did you get some sleep?"

"Like the dead," she said, raising an eyebrow at the three place settings as she took her chair.

I motioned Preel over to the other chair and removed her gag after Hemp left. "I thought we could do with Preel's opinion and I don't like the idea of notes lying around for anyone to read." I sat, adjusting my backside to the least painful position. The welts didn't hurt much anymore, but they were in an awkward spot. "Just be careful what you ask."

"Too right, sir."

Hemp returned with a platter of serving dishes. He laid them all out with precision and left without a word.

"What's wrong with him?"

"He's mad because I ordered him to burn the clothes I wore last night." I lifted the covers, inhaling the wonderful aromas. One contained some kind of baked pie, the crust golden and crispy. Another brimmed with stewed greens studded with bits of pork and garlic.

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